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Chenapau needs income generating ventures
– Residents want original lands restored
Chenapau, an Amerindian community in Region Eight, is experiencing economic hardships owing to the absence of opportunities to generate jobs.
This is according to Mark Crawford, Regional Chairman, who is concerned about the future of the more than 560 residents of Chenapau.
He said that the primary source of income for residents is mining since the high transportation cost has rendered logging and farming uneconomical activities. Mining is done on a small scale in the community. 
Crawford, who visited Chenapau recently, said that residents are demanding a portion of the revenue earned from tourism activities by the Kaieteur National Park.
According to the Regional Chairman, residents are claiming that a significant section of their original land was taken away from them to facilitate the extension of the Kaieteur National Park. They believe that Kaieteur Falls and the surrounding area are part of their ancestral lands, he added.
“Because of this, they have very little land to do mining. As a result the village is facing severe economic hardship. It is understandable that preservation of such a majestic treasure is needed but they should be compensated for this sacrifice,” he said.
Crawford stated that residents have indicated their willingness to fight to get back their land. He said residents claimed that they never accepted any demarcation given to them by Government.
“They told me that they need back their land to work…They don’t need any hand out from Government. They also need to be part of the management of the Kaieteur National Park and to access some of the revenue obtained from there,” Crawford said.
Crawford believes that the original land should be restored to the community. In addition, residents should be given the opportunity to mine the minerals on it in an environmentally friendly manner until other jobs are made available.
“The residents should also benefit from revenue generated from the Kaieteur National Park. The residents should also be allowed to have a market at Kaieteur Falls to sell their products to the visitors,” he suggested.
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